Human Development & Family Studies Internship Program
Juniors and Seniors in the Human Development & Family Studies major can earn degree credit for experiential learning. An internship is highly recommended in today’s competitive career market. Internships not only offer the opportunity to gain the “real world” experience employers are looking for, but also give you the chance to improve interpersonal skills, communication skills, and organizational abilities. With the combination of classroom knowledge and internship experience, you will have a true advantage in the job market. Students in HDFS are required to complete 3 credits of internship
HDFS Interns work in a variety of positions. Some examples include: day care assistant teacher, parent education group co-facilitator, elementary school social worker, after school program coordinator, domestic abuse survivor advocate, court appointed special advocate for children.
Time Commitment
Human Development & Family Studies = 50 hours of work at your site per credit plus course assignments (3 credits required, up to 6 credits possible)
Policies
- HDFS 601 class is offered ONLY to the students in Human Development and Family Studies major in good academic standing and who have reached junior or senior level.
- HDFS 601 credits are not given retroactively for work that has been previously completed.
Application Process:
1. Review Internship Preparation guide
2. Submit Internship Application by November 1st for spring or March 1st for summer to room 135 SoHE or e-mail to bahvala@wisc.edu (you do NOT have to have your internship secured to submit this application)
3. Research Internship Opportunities / Apply for internships:
- Start with Human Development & Family Studies Master Site List (pdf)
- please note: we try to keep information up-to-date. However, contact person / address can change. Make sure you follow up with a phone call if you e-mail the site of your interest.
- Check Morgridge Center http://www.morgridge.wisc.edu/
- Search online (i.e. www.idealist.org )
- see Internship Set-Up Steps
4.Submit Human Development & Family Studies New Site Application (pdf)
if you chose a site outside of our Master Site List. Wait for Approval.
5. Write Internship Proposal.
- also described in detail in the Prep Guide
6. Submit Internship Proposal, Internship Agreement, Resume and Cover Letter by December 19th OR January 23rd. May 2nd for summer / by September 2nd for fall
No application will be considered after the deadline. No exceptions.
Please submit your application to room 135 SoHE
The application must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
- After your application is approved, you will receive an e-mail from internship coordinator with registration instructions. All permissions will be entered after the deadline. Thus you will be able to register for the class only after the deadline (if your application is approved).
- If you are not sure that this internship will qualify, check with your internship coordinator
7. Attend Internship Orientation Session. You will be notified about the date and time via an e-mail from your Internship Coordinator.
HDFS Internship Resources:
Human Development & Family Studies Master Site List (pdf)
HDFS Internship Preparation Guide (pdf)
HDFS Internship Forms:
Human Development & Family Studies Internship Application (pdf)
Human Development & Family Studies New Site Application (pdf)
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For more resume / cover letter guidelines and samples as well as for interview preparation please see Business Career Center.
For more information regarding the HDFS Internship Program, contact the Internship Coordinator:
Anna Bahvala
Human Ecology Building, Room 135
1300 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
608.265.6467
bahvala@wisc.edu
